Expanding or establishing a construction business can be a daunting prospect. Not only are there building regulations and rules to consider, insurances and administration, but you will also face the prospect of purchasing expensive equipment needed to conduct your business. While there are a number of equipment finance options available, to make the best use of construction or commercial equipment finance, you need to properly plan.
Determining What You Actually Need:
The first step is to determine what you actually need to buy. Will you be considering brand new, refurbished or used equipment? Will you be using some of your capital or need the whole sum covered by finance. Australia based business owners need to consider what equipment they will need to conduct their everyday activities. You should remember that more specialised equipment, you will only need periodically, may be better sourced from an equipment rental company. However, if a piece of equipment is needed for most of your business services, it would be more economical to own or long term lease it.
You will also need to consider if you need any office based equipment such as computer systems needed to optimise your projects and make your operation more efficient. This cost may also need to be factored into your equipment finance.
Different Forms of Equipment Finance:
The specific deal will depend on your particular equipment finance needs. Most lenders offer more flexible terms for finance. This can include longer loan terms and lowered monthly payments with final balloon payments. Obviously, if you are looking for larger items of construction equipment such as plant equipment, there will be more flexibility in the equipment finance terms. Since cash flow is important, you may wish to consider keeping your monthly repayments as low as possible. This will allow you to keep your operating costs low and manageable. You will also be able to budget accurately, since you will know exactly how much you will be paying each month.
Obtain Pre-Approval:
One of the most sensible options for your equipment finance is to obtain pre-approval. This will allow you shop with confidence, making an offer as soon as you see what you need at the right price, without worrying about whether you can actually finance the purchase. Pre-approval for finance can be arranged to a set level to allow you to plan your purchases and obtain the best deals. You can also shop around for refurbished or used equipment to obtain the best possible equipment at the best possible price.
Choosing Your Equipment Finance Provider:
While the prospect of obtaining multiple quotes for your equipment finance may seem a little daunting, it is possible to make the process easier and smoother by using a reputable broker. A broker specialising in construction finance will have a network of providers and access to the best deals. The broker may even have a particular relationship with some of the lenders which allows access to exclusive deals. This allows you to compare the rates and terms available, without needing to spend days on the phone.
If you are considering equipment finance for your business, contact us. We are a specialist broker and our experienced advisors would be delighted to answer any questions you may have and assist you in finding the deal best suited to your requirements.